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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
In an outline, this book could be viewed as quite boring. But Christie's great writing makes the story very engaging and kept me guessing. Despite picking up on some of the clues, I was still surprised in the end.
I did have a problem with her depiction of adoption. It was stated over and over how adopted children weren't "really, truly" family.
I did have a problem with her depiction of adoption. It was stated over and over how adopted children weren't "really, truly" family.
When do alibis save an innocent man and when do they prevent the guilty from being punished for their crimes? This is the question presented in this intriguing mystery by Agatha Christie.
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Dr Arthur Calgary, realises that he could have provided an alibi for a young man convicted of murder who subsequently died in prison. But if Jacko Argyle didn't kill his adopted mother, the culprit is still at large and suspicion falls on other members of the Argyle household. Dr Calgary's revelations lead to Jacko being granted a posthumous pardon, but his family seem to think it might have been better if new evidence hadn't come to light. Can Dr Calgary get to the truth of the matter?
The novel makes a lot of observations on nature versus nurture with the depiction of the adopted Argyle children who cannot escape their unfortunate backgrounds - "the seeds of weakness which had brought them to the nursery in the first place." It's obviously very old-fashioned and unenlightened in its assumption that blood ties are always going to be stronger and that no amount of advantages can turn a 'bad' child into a decent human being. It wouldn't be an Agatha Christie without some outrageous politically incorrect howlers. A character of mixed race is described as a dark horse - "perhaps it's the half of her that isn't white" and a middle-aged female is put in her place too - "she's the age when women go slightly off their rocker" and "After all, she's a foreigner."
However, despite the awful stereotyping and negative attitudes towards adoption, it is a good story and it keeps you guessing. The characters are well-written and in such a way that the reader feels both sympathy and distaste for them in equal measure. This makes the unravelling plot all the more intriguing. The ending took me by surprise.
The novel makes a lot of observations on nature versus nurture with the depiction of the adopted Argyle children who cannot escape their unfortunate backgrounds - "the seeds of weakness which had brought them to the nursery in the first place." It's obviously very old-fashioned and unenlightened in its assumption that blood ties are always going to be stronger and that no amount of advantages can turn a 'bad' child into a decent human being. It wouldn't be an Agatha Christie without some outrageous politically incorrect howlers. A character of mixed race is described as a dark horse - "perhaps it's the half of her that isn't white" and a middle-aged female is put in her place too - "she's the age when women go slightly off their rocker" and "After all, she's a foreigner."
However, despite the awful stereotyping and negative attitudes towards adoption, it is a good story and it keeps you guessing. The characters are well-written and in such a way that the reader feels both sympathy and distaste for them in equal measure. This makes the unravelling plot all the more intriguing. The ending took me by surprise.
A little harder to get through than other novels from her, but still a lovely novel with a plot twist. Although I felt that the twist might be a little too far fetched.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
An entertaining mystery though it depends heavily on coincidence and amnesia for a few of its plot points. An extremely dated view of adoption and the use of the term "half-caste" make this a relic from another millennium.
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes